Sunday, November 24, 2024
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Energy industry calls on government to ‘build back greener’ ahead of COP26

The UK’s energy industry has united in a call for government to seize the opportunity to deliver a green economic recovery and boost Britain’s global reputation as a superpower of renewable energy.

To help deliver the UK’s net zero emissions targets, nine of Britain’s top energy trade associations representing networks, generators, retailers and the supply chain have issued a statement urging the government to drive net zero action and deliver:

  • Strategic investment ahead of need in least-risk technologies and infrastructure
  • Clear, ambitious targets for the full breadth of renewable technologies, with a robust framework for delivery – 40GW offshore wind, 40GW of solar, 30GW of onshore wind, 2GW of floating wind, 5GW of green hydrogen electrolyser capacity, and 1GW of marine energy. Along with a clear plan to restore nuclear capacity at least to existing levels
  • A ‘just transition strategy’ which brings together schemes like The North Sea Transition Deal to maximise the employment opportunities of net zero
  • A heat and buildings strategy which empowers customers and makes the most of all the tools at our disposal, delivering market certainty and customer choice over technologies like heat-pumps and hydrogen-ready boilers which can be rolled out through the 2020s
  • A regulator with a clear mandate for action on climate change, supporting decarbonisation across the value chain
  • A UK net zero strategy that focuses on delivery from key sectors throughout the 2020s.

The next ten years is a short period of time to deliver the infrastructure and innovation needed to hit our 2030 targets. Government has already outlined its strategic vision with its 10 Point Plan. Now is the time to turn the plan into action and implement the policies that will unlock the net zero future that customers across the country need.

David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK and Ireland’s energy network businesses, said: “As we count down to COP26, there is little question over the UK’s ambition on climate change, now the focus must be on delivery.

“The UK’s energy industry has done the heavy lifting so far and has tangible plans to not only fully decarbonise power, but also support the decarbonisation of heat, transportation and industry – plans which we want to work with government to deliver.

“The energy networks are at the heart of unlocking this green growth, turning climate plans into climate action and helping to provide a cleaner, greener future for all.”

Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA CEO, said: “This is a time for action. We have the tools we need to decarbonise, and the technologies available on the market today should now be deployed at scale to deliver on the UK’s 2030 targets. Net zero represents unparalleled change across our industry, and the only way to efficiently transform our energy sector is by working collaboratively.

“As our attention turns to delivery, the focus is on designing the appropriate regulatory frameworks to support job creation and the growing market for UK zero carbon products. We are working collaboratively with government and look forward to the additional clarity on its plans and strategies expected to be published this summer.”

Associations who have signed up to the commitment include:

  • Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
  • BEAMA
  • Energy UK
  • Energy & Utilities Alliance
  • Nuclear Industry Association
  • Renewable UK
  • Scottish Renewables
  • Solar Energy UK

Image: Shutterstock

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